| Navigator | |
|---|---|
2011 promotional art for Navigator |
|
| Developer(s) | PixelxCore Independent Gaming |
| Producer(s) | Tyvon "Alpha Six" Thomas |
| Designer(s) | Tyvon "Alpha Six" Thomas Maarten de Meyer |
| Composer(s) | Chris "Søda Meløn" King |
| Version | v1.1b, June 8, 2011 |
| Platform(s) | PC, Windows Phone 7 |
| Release date(s) | January 2012 |
| Genre(s) | Puzzle game |
| Mode(s) | Single-player 2-4 players |
Navigator is an upcoming 1-4 player action puzzle game being developed by PixelxCore Independent Gaming, slated for release in mid 2011. It is being developed for the PC, Xbox 360, and Windows Phone 7 platforms.[1] It mixes platformer elements with classic block puzzle games, such as Bust-a-Move and Tetris Plus.[2]
It is also notably the first PixelxCore project to avoid becoming vaporware, as it has been frequently discussed and updated publicly since its announcement.
Contents |
Navigator is played on a 10x15 field of gameplay. The player controls Nav and his block cannon, dropping colored blocks and navigating around the playing field. Putting together at least 4 blocks of the same color together will result in a "cluster." Clusters are crucial to the gameplay, as they are used to clear the field and give Nav more movement area.
A 4-block cluster is the basic cluster, and the simplest way of clearing the field. A 4-block cluster is worth 100 points. If you create a cluster of larger than 4, it is considered a "large cluster", and every block after the 4th block is 30 extra points in the total cluster. When you create a cluster and any blocks that are dropped as a result of that cluster create a second cluster, a "chain cluster" is created, and the point gain is multiplied. There are deep gray blocks that signify the top of the gameplay field, and when Nav reaches the top of the playing field, the game is over.[3]
An offline beta for the PC version was released on the PixelxWorld Forums, The Spriters Resource Forums, and the TIGSource forums on April 24, 2011.[4] This beta included the Endless Mode and a single level, and Nav's only ability was the Block Push.
On June 8th, 2011, a second public beta was released.[5] This beta included improved gameplay, the Power Climb and Nav Leap abilities, and a new level, Field of Cogs. This beta also introduced the predetermined level system.
A closed beta was announced on June 15th, with an undetermined date of release. It is stated that the closed beta will include online play and a competitive gameplay mode.[6] The closed beta was postponed indefinitely on August 14, 2011, stating that there was not enough time to develop online portions for the game. However, it has also been stated that the game will get online play developed after its initial release.[7]
Navigator's release date was officially announced on September 10, 2011. The release date was October 22, 2011, but complications with the game's puzzle mode, as well as enhancements to the game requested by the director, the game was delayed until January 2012.[8] A Windows Phone 7 release has yet to be confirmed.
